Earlier in the last century, it wasn’t that uncommon for students to leave high school and join the service*. And James Harwood Fought (Jim), of Hughesville, did just that in 1946. In the middle of his senior year, he enlisted in the Air Corp Cadets. The Corp, however, disbanded, so Jim joined the Army, serving in the Army of Occupation in Korea and was later stationed in Wels, Austria with the 285th Ordinance HAM Company during the Korean War. He was a drill sergeant for a portion of his service, teaching new recruits every aspect of Basic Combat Training.

When Jim was discharged from the service and returned to Hughesville in 1952, he joined two of his brothers as owner of the family business, Fought’s Mill, located on the corner of Walnut and Railroad Streets in Hughesville. From 1974-1982, he owned and operated Fought’s Hardware Store on Main Street. Jim and Patricia Bubb had married in 1948. They had four children, Cynthia, Michael, Susan and Jane. Cindy (Fought) Bower recalls that she never really knew her dad at all until she was four years old. “He had been in the service for those first four years of my life. And I remember that he sometimes became overwhelmed with all us girls, so he and Mike would take off for the cabin to get away. He was so loved,” Cindy says.

We are grateful for Jim Fought’s service to his country. We thank every veteran for all they sacrificed to serve the United States of America. On Memorial Day, 2022, we honor those who died in action and those who survived. We pay tribute to the men and women who served in any capacity in any time period, including those active today.

*Since 1972, a high school diploma or GED is required for enlistment.